Finding happiness in running and sobriety

The last few weeks I have been developing some stomach issues. Never hungry and then when I finally decided I should eat something I would feel bloated and have a dull ache in my belly. Yes, I do realize that when you start talking about your health it’s a sign you are getting old. Whatever, fun fact, I’m getting old. After about a week I mentioned it to Izaak and he replied with “you are probably getting an ulcer. It’s not like you’re stressed or anything with teenage boy drama (high school, college, how do people pay for this!), getting laid off, following me to Phoenix….”. Oh, right. That!

In an effort to save money (that whole not having a job thing), get healthy (that whole body falling apart thing), and be a responsible adult (that whole getting older thing) I am going to start blogging more food ideas here.

While we were in Phoenix last weekend, which I’ll write about soon, we ate at this really cool place, Chestnut. I had the homemade granola and yogurt, and Izaak had Morning Bibimbap Bowl. Both were super delicious. Izaak’s had me thinking about how to make one thing and use it for multiple dishes. For instance, cooking a big batch of black beans and using it for 3 or 4 meals. I know, so obvious to most people, but I am not the most frugal person when it comes to food. Don’t even ask what I spent on food last month. It’s embarrassing especially considering I got laid off last month! I was feeding my stress?

Yesterday I grabbed the dry beans I had in the kitchen and cooked them up. It’s really easy to do dry beans. You simply cover with water and let them soak all day then slow cook them for several hours. An even easier way is to throw them in your crockpot with lots of water and let them cook all dang day without any attention from you whatsoever! I put a chopped onion, 5 or 6 cloves chopped garlic, a chopped jalapeno (remove the seeds!) and fresh ground cumin salt and pepper. That’s it!

Using that base last night I made up some quinoa, chopped avocado, cilantro, green onion, cashew sour cream (I’m not sold on that one), grape tomatoes, feta, and rolled it up in a warm tortilla. Amazing!

This morning I used the beans, quinoa, and sauteed up some kale, green onion, and garlic. Drizzle sriracha on the plate, poach an egg, and breakfast is served!

Now, I do realize that since I’m currently unemployed I have more time to do stuff like this, but I think it is workable as a working person too. It will just take some Sunday prep time to have everything in the fridge when you are ready to roll.

I think tomorrow will be a black bean taco salad. Avocado dressing! Notice that it’s all basically the same ingredients just mixed up a bit? Sometimes I feel so SMRT!